IIHF announces NHL-European Victoria Cup

KHODYNKA—May 8, 2007
History was made today when the IIHF announced the first-ever tournament on European soil featuring club teams from the National Hockey League and champions from the European leagues. The Victoria Cup will be competed for on an annual basis beginning September 2008. It will be a three-team competition, two teams from Europe and one from the NHL. The series is the first ever initiative to pit the top teams from North America versus the top teams from Europe.


Link http://live82.ihwc.net/english/article/news/index.ihwc?&artId=2646

Interesting.

What if a Russian team plays? How's that reconciled wti the absence of TA I wonder... Well, may be it won't be a factor at all

What if a Russian team plays? How's that reconciled wti the absence of TA I wonder... Well, may be it won't be a factor at all

It shouldn't have any bearing on it at all, the transfer agreement is just that, a player transfer agreement, nothing more. It appears that it will be a IIHF brokered tournament similar to the WC's but with professional league teams. Any Russian team would just have to win qualification to compete.

I like the idea a lot, it should do a lot to bridge the differences between the North American and European pro leagues and can only lead to better future relations, competition etc...

Personally, I am not going to watch a tourney with the September-sleepy NHL teams will be rotating the roster to test the youngsters....

Personally, I am not going to watch a tourney with the September-sleepy NHL teams will be rotating the roster to test the youngsters....

I don't know about that happening, I would imagine the NHL will want to give it's best showing possible. With that I would assume whichever team is representing the league will play to win and ice their best players.

I'd be more interested in having a chance to watch the European clubs on the ice or at least as much as how the NHL team competes against them.

I don't know about that happening, I would imagine the NHL will want to give it's best showing possible. With that I would assume whichever team is representing the league will play to win and ice their best players.

Hopefully

Personally, I am not going to watch a tourney with the September-sleepy NHL teams will be rotating the roster to test the youngsters....

A seat for somebody else who wants one then! :handclap:

I like that idea. Surely gonna watch it.

Hopefully

Yeah, I'm sure we can count on a good showing from the Euro teams.

Personally, I would of rather a 5 team competition, two from NA and 3 from Europe. A 3 team tourney can lose it's attractiveness quickly where it will be essentially one winner and two losers. With 5 teams you can have a round robin of sorts and have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd which I believe would bring better competition to the event. It would add a week of play to the tournament which I couldn't imagine being a great strain since those same teams would normally play pre-season matches anyways.

If they do it, I hope they hold the games in the Euro teams home arenas.

I can imagine the Habs' long faces when they learn the are flying to Omsk. :naughty:

Yeah, I'm sure we can count on a good showing from the Euro teams.

Personally, I would of rather a 5 team competition, two from NA and 3 from Europe. A 3 team tourney can lose it's attractiveness quickly where it will be essentially one winner and two losers. With 5 teams you can have a round robin of sorts and have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd which I believe would bring better competition to the event. It would add a week of play to the tournament which I couldn't imagine being a great strain since those same teams would normally play pre-season matches anyways.

Of course, there's the thing of September being already the regular season for most Euro leagues and all imaginary windows in the reg season taken either by EHT, Continental Cup or ECC.

If they do it, I hope they hold the games in the Euro teams home arenas.

I can imagine the Habs' long faces when they learn the are flying to Omsk. :naughty:

Ha! Fat chance of that happening.

It will most likely be at a city with a 10 000 plus seated modern arena, possibly the home arena of the third team.

Ha! Fat chance of that happening.

It will most likely be at a city with a 10 000 plus seated modern arena, possibly the home arena of the third team.

Well, a 10thnder is being finished in Omsk, a city twice larger than Helsinki, so...

But seriously, I would hate to see it happenening somewhere on the neutral ground in Zurich or Cologne.

Well, a 10thnder is being finished in Omsk, a city twice larger than Helsinki, so...

But seriously, I would hate to see it happenening somewhere on the neutral ground in Zurich or Cologne.

A competition such as this should be played on neutral ice. From the NHL's perspective any Euro team being able to play on home ice would further the advantage to that team over that NHL team, not to mention international rules being applied and it exclusively being held in Europe as it is.

I won't be arrogant to say that these advantages would not make a difference against an NHL team. I am aware there are many very talented teams in Europe and the competition will be close regardless. Slanting it more in favour of the Euro teams doesn't create more of a competitive tournament but lessens it imo.

A competition such as this should be played on neutral ice. From the NHL's perspective any Euro team being able to play on home ice would further the advantage to that team over that NHL team, not to mention international rules being applied and it exclusively being held in Europe as it is.

I won't be arrogant to say that these advantages would not make a difference against an NHL team. I am aware there are many very talented teams in Europe and the competition will be close regardless.

The neutral ice would simply deprive the fans of the show. Not to mention that the arena might not be filled up: think of a Lugano-Farjstad game in St. Petersburg at the ECC with 2 thnd ppl present. Well, with an NHL team may be even a neutral crowd would fill up the arena, that's possible. This is not so much about the bragging rights as far as I am concerned, but rather for the fans.

The neutral ice would simply deprive the fans of the show. Not to mention that the arena might not be filled up: think of a Lugano-Farjstad game in St. Petersburg at the ECC with 2 thnd ppl present. Well, with an NHL team may be even a neutral crowd would fill up the arena, that's possible. This is not so much about the bragging rights as far as I am concerned, but rather for the fans.

I definitely see your point with this. How could they even decide what neutral ice would truly be? And further agreeing with your point it would be a guaranteed seller for the home team and an excellent way to market the NHL in non familiar areas. I'm thinking now that this isn't so much the tournament itself but more of a goodwill event and a coming together of leagues, bridging the distance and differences a little bit perhaps. Something that can be built upon.

It's unfortunate that it won't be held at all in NA, personally I would love to have the opportunity to watch Euro teams live.

One good thing with this is that it will increase the importance of the new Champions Hockey League thingy.

Playing a high profile game like this is candy for the team treasurers marketing departments.

Im assuming sinse the tournament is in Europe they will play IIHF rules?

:shakehead :shakehead

A competition such as this should be played on neutral ice. From the NHL's perspective any Euro team being able to play on home ice would further the advantage to that team over that NHL team, not to mention international rules being applied and it exclusively being held in Europe as it is.
What you talking about ? Teams play for fans, own fans. I dream about watching Metallurg beating some NHL team in Magnitogorsk. If they play somewhere in
Europe for some "hockey fans" like swiss that won't be good. If some NHL team comes to Magnitogorsk, there will be total hockey madness and this is what we want. Next day 7700 people will be able to talk only in whisper.. Damn, I'm writting this and imagining how great it will be...

I just hope its not the sens they send over. How about Anaheim they're all canadian go show off for us ;)

This seems like a good idea, but it won't mean anything in NA. If it was spread out over the year and the NHL maybe cut a few games from their schedule, something like this would mean more. But I like this idea, as more international exposure is best for hockey

This seems like a good idea, but it won't mean anything in NA. If it was spread out over the year and the NHL maybe cut a few games from their schedule, something like this would mean more. But I like this idea, as more international exposure is best for hockey

No it won't mean anything in NA, at least the first years (or 10).
But it will mean a lot for hockey in europe, esp outside the big 5.

And it will, in combination with a working euro champions league, mean a lot for european teams.

More talents, better development (when the teams get better finances), more media exposure and in the end, since the cream tends to go there, better hockey in NA.

If half the NHLers on even Philidelphia suit up, the Euros are going to get their arses kicked.....

If half the NHLers on even Philidelphia suit up, the Euros are going to get their arses kicked.....

Possibly, or maybe even likely, but it remains to be seen, and a lot of people are willing to pay to see it :)

Im assuming sinse the tournament is in Europe they will play IIHF rules?

:shakehead :shakehead

And? I have nothing against IIHF rules, hell, I prefer them actually, minus the no fighting. And international sized rinks are so sweet, such a shame that the NHL is stuck with the 85 wide rinks.

If half the NHLers on even Philidelphia suit up, the Euros are going to get their arses kicked.....
If internet was created in 1971 we would see same messages in 1972 :sarcasm:

Does anyone actually think this will lead to an actual Champions League(like football)? I would love to see the NHL season cut down to 64 games to allow for in season competions like this. Either way, I think this is a great start. :handclap:

Does anyone actually think this will lead to an actual Champions League(like football)? I would love to see the NHL season cut down to 64 games to allow for in season competions like this. Either way, I think this is a great start. :handclap:

No it wont ever, unless NHL gets in deep economical dodo.

There is no way that they will sell out their main product, the best hockey league in the world.

The Champions League thingy will be between the best teams outside north america.

And the Victoria Cup will be a funky marketing exibition game between the non-na champs and some nhl team, most likely never the current stanley cup champs (because it would be a marketing disaster for the NHL of they, against all odds, lost it).

Possibly, or maybe even likely, but it remains to be seen, and a lot of people are willing to pay to see it :)

Awesome response :handclap: (i'm serious, no sarcasm, it puts it all into perspective for me)

This is my dream come true and the start of something BIG.

I must say I don't give a ***** about Euroleagues and such but after this I am getting interested, I really want to see my team suit up against a NHL-team, even if they will probably get their ***** kicked badly.

What you talking about ? Teams play for fans, own fans. I dream about watching Metallurg beating some NHL team in Magnitogorsk. If they play somewhere in
Europe for some "hockey fans" like swiss that won't be good. If some NHL team comes to Magnitogorsk, there will be total hockey madness and this is what we want. Next day 7700 people will be able to talk only in whisper.. Damn, I'm writting this and imagining how great it will be...

Hi Bob.

You will find if you read further into the discussion that I saw the validity of Den's point and agreed with it, mainly since it would not work on neutral ice for it to be a success in Europe.

My original point was that this competition does involve two Euro teams who would have advantages on top of home ice advantages and one NHL team that will never be able to have home ice, play by European rules etc. Do you understand that?

Read my last comment in reply to Den please.

No it wont ever, unless NHL gets in deep economical dodo.

There is no way that they will sell out their main product, the best hockey league in the world.

The Champions League thingy will be between the best teams outside north america.

And the Victoria Cup will be a funky marketing exibition game between the non-na champs and some nhl team, most likely never the current stanley cup champs (because it would be a marketing disaster for the NHL of they, against all odds, lost it).

Agreed, that I couldn't see it working unless the financial aspects of it made sense for the NHL to pursue it. Sometime down the road if the gaps between NA and Euro pro leagues lessen and it makes financial sense it may happen, but that still is a long way off. This is a good start though that it brings these teams together for a small event and will further the goodwill and ties between the pro leagues.

I also couldn't see it being the SC champions either, perhaps the runner-up to the SC would work best.

Agreed, that I couldn't see it working unless the financial aspects of it made sense for the NHL to pursue it. Sometime down the road if the gaps between NA and Euro pro leagues lessen and it makes financial sense it may happen, but that still is a long way off. This is a good start though that it brings these teams together for a small event and will further the goodwill and ties between the pro leagues.

I also couldn't see it being the SC champions either, perhaps the runner-up to the SC would work best.

One has to remember that this isn't really that much about the sport of ice hockey.

Pro sports is a commercial product.

Kind of obvious if you look at NHL or RSL, SEL and other top leagues.

But IIHF has to be somewhat in the middle. Because the bulk of ice hockey isn't commercial, A good deal of the players even in the top euro leagues still has some kind of a day job, to varying degree of seriousness.

IIHF wants to advance the sport, NHL (and the other pro leagues) want to make more money, as they should, they are commercial entities, they have an obligation to their owners and investors, that's the whole idea behind a commercial entity.

To take a local example, since I know that one best.

The difference between NHL versus the US and Canadian federations, and as an extension the IIHF, and SEL, the Swedish federation and as an extension the IIHF. Is that SEL needs the national team and IIHF tournaments to keep hockey intresting in the eye of the common audience. The NHL doesn't.

The big hockey game of the year in sweden isn't the final game in the SEL playoffs, it's the WC (or olympic) final, or almost any game against Finland. Because it creates media attention, which reminds people of hockey, which have people pay for games.

In NA it's the SC finals.

This is why all the negotiations are between the IIHF (the international, including US and Canada, hockey federation) and NHL, the biggest commercial league.

Remember that IIHF is representing the national federations, not the national leagues or clubs. Most euro leagues and clubs play nice with IIHF, because they need the bulk (even if RSL is starting to change that), but they all want to have the same grip of their market as NHL has.

No it wont ever, unless NHL gets in deep economical dodo.

There is no way that they will sell out their main product, the best hockey league in the world.

The Champions League thingy will be between the best teams outside north america.

And the Victoria Cup will be a funky marketing exibition game between the non-na champs and some nhl team, most likely never the current stanley cup champs (because it would be a marketing disaster for the NHL of they, against all odds, lost it).

Was it a marketing disaster when CSKA 'Red Army' Moscow tied the Montreal Canadians?

If there is ever a time when European Champions League winner/runner-up could challenge the NHL Stanley Cup champions again (or even beat them), it would be a shame not to see them get their chance to prove they are the best club in the world.

Note: I know it was only a tie against the Canadians, but still, I imagine most fans at the time thought the NHL Champions should beat the best from Europe.

Im assuming sinse the tournament is in Europe they will play IIHF rules?

:shakehead :shakehead

Well considering the IIHF is the GLOBAL sanctioning body of hockey (not the NHL like most North Americans think) it only makes sense. Just because the U.S. and Canada decide to make their own rules doesn't mean all forms of hockey around the world should follow them.

Though a tournament with only 3 teams seems hardly worth it in my opinion. Get rid of one of the Euro teams and just call it a series and make it home and home. Or ad a few teams and make it atleast 6 or 8 teams. Anything under 4 teams is not a tournament.

Can't wait to see Ottawa vs GKS Tychy!

If internet was created in 1971 we would see same messages in 1972 :sarcasm:

Big difference, then there were no Russian players in the NHL. Now the best European players are in the NHL.

Well considering the IIHF is the GLOBAL sanctioning body of hockey (not the NHL like most North Americans think) it only makes sense. Just because the U.S. and Canada decide to make their own rules doesn't mean all forms of hockey around the world should follow them.

Though a tournament with only 3 teams seems hardly worth it in my opinion. Get rid of one of the Euro teams and just call it a series and make it home and home. Or ad a few teams and make it atleast 6 or 8 teams. Anything under 4 teams is not a tournament.

Please spare me the IIHF BS, The only reason IIHF rules are so different is because their stuck up euros who hate the way hockey was played in NA. Hell, the original world championship was "euro" only until 1920, and even then special euro medals were given out until 1991. IIHF caters to euros, and i don't see why NHL should even bother with their silly "exhibition".

What a ****ing dumbass idea. Have fun getting blown out European teams!

why call it the Victoria Cup?

isnt that a little pro-Canadian/British for a tournament that will feature mostly American and European teams?

What a ****ing dumbass idea. Have fun getting blown out European teams!

You do realize that ****** hockey country Poland tied the NHL all-stars 4-4, and Federov scored with 4 seconds left to tie it up, so it really could have been 4-3. I really don't see why you would think that an NHL team would blow out a top European team. You sir, are very biased in your opinions.

My original point was that this competition does involve two Euro teams who would have advantages on top of home ice advantages and one NHL team that will never be able to have home ice, play by European rules etc. Do you understand that?
Sure, but what's the problem for NHL clubs ? I don't think that it will be team like Chicago etc, but some good team. If this team is really better than RSL team then even home advantage won't help.

Big difference, then there were no Russian players in the NHL. Now the best European players are in the NHL.
In that time it was "Russians ? Ahaha, they can play hockey ? All best players are canadiens and they play in the NHL", now it is "Russians ? All best russians play in the NHL".
Best players doesn't mean best team.

What a ****ing dumbass idea. Have fun getting blown out European teams!
"I will eat my article if Russians win one game"
:sarcasm:

You do realize that ****** hockey country Poland tied the NHL all-stars 4-4, and Federov scored with 4 seconds left to tie it up, so it really could have been 4-3. I really don't see why you would think that an NHL team would blow out a top European team. You sir, are very biased in your opinions.

Ya and I'm sure the NHL All-Stars were giving 110%!:biglaugh:
My predictions: First Euro team gets blown out 10-0 and the second one only loses 8-1.

Ya and I'm sure the NHL All-Stars were giving 110%!:biglaugh:
My predictions: First Euro team gets blown out 10-0 and the second one only loses 8-1.

Ridiculous, during an entire season an european team would probably be outplayed like crazy. But one game, cash and glory on stakes, I'd bet there would be one hell of fight.

Other than the top 4 -6 teams in the NHL, all others can be beaten by at least 5 teams in the RSL and probably by 5 in SEL any time during the year on any arena with any refs. But the dreamy 10:0 scorelines are, of course, a very irresistable self-gratification.

Other than the top 4 -6 teams in the NHL, all others can be beaten by at least 5 teams in the RSL and probably by 5 in SEL any time during the year on any arena with any refs. But the dreamy 10:0 scorelines are, of course, a very irresistable self-gratification.
Uh ? I doubt that. I would name 3 from RSL - Metallurg, Ak Bars, Avangard that can beat not Top8 NHL teams on big rinks. I doubt that Russian teams will play good at NHL rinks, because they won't be able to show their skills. They will be made to dump puck to the zone and fight there (N.A. players are born for this style).
So, any refs, but big rinks, and teams like Florida, Washington, Chicago, Phoenix, etc, will have no chances with Top3 RSL teams, thats for sure.

why call it the Victoria Cup?

isnt that a little pro-Canadian/British for a tournament that will feature mostly American and European teams?

The IIHF will formally recognize the Victoria Skating Rink as the birthplace of hockey. On March 3, 1875, the first true hockey game took place at that rink in Montreal.

A bit of formal brown-nosing for sure.

But even if most of the teams are european or american there are quite some canadian players in the game. Some of them quite good too.

I didn't say they can win a play off series on the NA ice, but certainly the Big Three+Loko+Khimik+possibly next year's SKA+possibly next year's SU+possibly next year's Dynamo CAN BEAT any non 6 NA team. Will probably win a series on the Euro ice. I don't think there's anything superhuman about non-top NA teams which are usually of comparable quality with most RSL outside of their top line, and often have a 4-th line that would not make it in the RSL and is rather useless on the Euro ice for sure.

Good idea, could be fun. Anyone thinking that the Euro teams will get blown out of the water is in for a surprise.

Victoria is a place in Montreal where its claimed the first formal hockey game was played.

If half the NHLers on even Philidelphia suit up, the Euros are going to get their arses kicked.....

On international rink size, with international rules, and the approach that nhl players likely would have for a game like this (the european teams would probably be more motivated), I doubt that half of Philly would kick anyones arse. And games like this have been played before in the preseason, and there are :amazed: not all onesided games.

This is a lose lose situation for the NHL.

You either beat up on bunch of players who can't make the NHL and you look like a 5th grader beating up a first grader, or the NHL team loses and that 5th grader just got his butt kicked by that first grader. I suppose this could play well in Europe but in the states the media will have a field day they love anything they can do to bash hockey.

Please spare me the IIHF BS, The only reason IIHF rules are so different is because their stuck up euros who hate the way hockey was played in NA. Hell, the original world championship was "euro" only until 1920, and even then special euro medals were given out until 1991. IIHF caters to euros, and i don't see why NHL should even bother with their silly "exhibition".

Yes, the IIHF was founded by Europeans in Europe for the good of the game in Europe. However, it has since become the sanctioning body of GLOBAL hockey, not just European.

Did you know FIFA awards a European champion as well and has a tournament just for European nations? I doubt soccer fans would argue that FIFA is not the international sanctioning body of soccer though.

Not sure what anything in your post has to do with the subject. All your ignorant opinions aside, the facts are: The IIHF IS THE GLOBAL SANCTIONING BODY OF ICE HOCKEY. Therefore all INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS such as this one should pertain to those rules set aside by that previously mentioned organization. End of story.

This is a lose lose situation for the NHL.

You either beat up on bunch of players who can't make the NHL and you look like a 5th grader beating up a first grader, or the NHL team loses and that 5th grader just got his butt kicked by that first grader. I suppose this could play well in Europe but in the states the media will have a field day they love anything they can do to bash hockey.

Well, I don't see the NBA buckling under media pressure to fold or cease operations after the Toronto Raptors lost to an Israeli team, or the Philadelphia 76ers lost to a Spanish team. (Though the media likes to hate on hockey more, true)

I doubt the media will even realize this "tournament" exists. It's just a pointless pre-season thing. I don't think anyone is going to put pressure on the NHL teams to do well.

They COULD be good games. And it might actually become interesting and one of the yearly highlights in the hockey world. But it remains to be seen. We can only wait.

This is a lose lose situation for the NHL.

You either beat up on bunch of players who can't make the NHL and you look like a 5th grader beating up a first grader, or the NHL team loses and that 5th grader just got his butt kicked by that first grader. I suppose this could play well in Europe but in the states the media will have a field day they love anything they can do to bash hockey.

Well, I've got a hard time seeing them making any kind of fuss about a tournament like this, win or lose.

Please spare me the IIHF BS, The only reason IIHF rules are so different is because their stuck up euros who hate the way hockey was played in NA. Hell, the original world championship was "euro" only until 1920, and even then special euro medals were given out until 1991. IIHF caters to euros, and i don't see why NHL should even bother with their silly "exhibition".

Replace 'europe' with 'outside north america' and you get closer.

NHL and IIHF isn't the same sort of organisations.

NHL is commercial entity selling their main product, proffesional icehockey, to a mainly north american market base (but they don't mind getting a bigger base if they can).

IIHF is the governing body elected by all the national hockey federations, with their goal to spread the game of hockey on all levels and on all continents.

IIHF appears 100% european because the only stuff we see or hear about is Olympics and the top division. And of the normally 16 teams qualified, 2 are north american, the remaining 14 are european (or possibly one asian if Kazakstan stays in the top division) but it's not by selection, it's by qualification.

But there's 3-4 more divisions, who also play IIHF world championships (which also act as qualification to Olympics) but we never see or hear anything about it except possibly for a short notice stating which two teams that will have spot 15 and 16 in the 'real' tournament.

IIHF works to develop hockey in asia, aussie/nz, south and central america, africa and under developt (hockey wise) parts of europe.

NHL on their hand works to develop their product and markets.

The reason we see all the clashing between NHL and IIHF is that they are the two big and influential organisations.

Until quite recently all the european national leagues was run by the national federations, but the top leagues are becoming their own commerical entities, and they are growing in power.

The russian hockey federation isn't dictating anything for the RSL anymore, rather the reverse. SEL and others are also shifting power away from the federations. They still (except the russian) are still using IIHF as negotiations vehicle, because they aren't big enough on their own, but this might change. We might get a 'european prohockey association' or something, made up from the proffesional leagues, not the federations.

And that's something that IIHF fears more than anything.
If this 'EPA' would form, owned by the top euro leagues, and do their own negotiations directly with NHL, IIHF would become a lame duck. Just as the US and Canadian hockey federations are today.

That's why IIHF is pushing the new champions league thingy, trying to stay in control, and on the good side, of the euro leagues.

What a ****ing dumbass idea. Have fun getting blown out European teams!

The IIHF probably sees this as something that will pay off years or even decades from now.

Some of the best teams in Europe (especially in Russia) are already holding onto players that would normally go to the NHL because they can offer better salaries with less tax. If that trend continues, or even goes further, it's just a matter of time before the best of the RSL could beat NHL teams. You might well be mistaken that no team in Europe could beat a team from the NHL already.
It's seems more like of a question of how high salaries could go in Russia, especially if their economy continues to improve. There might even be some Russian multi-billionaire out there willing to pay enough money to put together a team that could beat the NHL Champions..

Personally I would love to see the day when a CSKA 'Red Army' Moscow or some other Russian team gives the Stanley Cup Champions a scare, or even beat them. It will be a great day for Hockey.

Judge the value of the Victoria Cup in 15-30 years, but not now because this is just the first step.

it's just a matter of time before the best of the RSL could beat NHL teams
Top Russian teams can beat some NHL teams now.

Top Russian teams can beat some NHL teams now.


I edited my post, forgot to say that.

Question: What are the highest team payrolls in the RSL right now?

Some of the best teams in Europe (especially in Russia) are already holding onto players that would normally go to the NHL because they can offer better salaries with less tax. If that trend continues, or even goes further, it's just a matter of time before the best of the RSL could beat NHL teams.

What one could ponder is how long the current economic situation will continue.

Having strong owners is one thing. But most owners doesn't want to bleed for too long.

Where is the money coming from? TV rights, sponsors or audiences?

The tax cut is a good one, they are actually discussing new rules for swedish athletes. Basicly the same as for businesses, you can 'fund' money for later (and leaner) years instead of having to pay income tax on every dime the year it's earned.

So yes, I think that europe will get closer, some day.

Please spare me the IIHF BS, The only reason IIHF rules are so different is because their stuck up euros who hate the way hockey was played in NA. Hell, the original world championship was "euro" only until 1920, and even then special euro medals were given out until 1991. IIHF caters to euros, and i don't see why NHL should even bother with their silly "exhibition".

Love guys who come out hard, with nothing to back it up.

What "Euro rules" are you talking about?

The redline? Yeah, Bettman almost destroyed the entire game in the NA waiting 8 years before taking it away after IIHF had taken it away.

BTW, last time I checked IIHF stood for INTERNATIONAL ice hockey federation, with the US and Canada getting as much say as the rest.

The touch ice, that have been talked about beeing removed in the NHL. Big ice, well thats how the arenas are built over here, the NHL to my knowledge would like to make the ice in the NHL a bit bigger, but can't since the arenas are too small. Though thats a diffrence.

Special Euro medals was given out to the European Champion, since the WCH overtook that tourament. I don't think Canada cryed for not winning the European Championships...

If you knew anything about sports outside the US, you wouldn't bring up the all euro thing, it wheren't. It was a no-pro thing, which Canada didn't want to participate in. Someone working 40 hrs a week to make a living as a carpenter or something doesn't compete at the same level as someone who is getting paid a ton for playing hockey, thats a fact. The Russians got around that creating a military team, no money, but a ton of practise. But thats on their accounts, not some IIHF conspiracy, that everyone was thrilled about.

Any rules I missed? Can't use your feets on faceoffs, if you drop the helmut you gotta make a linechange. I think its about the same besides thoose "major" diffrences...

The IIHF probably sees this as something that will pay off years or even decades from now.

Some of the best teams in Europe (especially in Russia) are already holding onto players that would normally go to the NHL because they can offer better salaries with less tax. If that trend continues, or even goes further, it's just a matter of time before the best of the RSL could beat NHL teams. You might well be mistaken that no team in Europe could beat a team from the NHL already.
It's seems more like of a question of how high salaries could go in Russia, especially if their economy continues to improve. There might even be some Russian multi-billionaire out there willing to pay enough money to put together a team that could beat the NHL Champions..

Personally I would love to see the day when a CSKA 'Red Army' Moscow or some other Russian team gives the Stanley Cup Champions a scare, or even beat them. It will be a great day for Hockey.

Judge the value of the Victoria Cup in 15-30 years, but not now because this is just the first step.

Very good points.

Also, on the competetive thing. I think a few fans in NA are kind of not used to watching low-skilled teams playing against the best.

We are not talking about Mystery Alaska here, the European teams are pretty proffesional, in some aspects more so then the NHL teams. NHL teams are prohibited to a ton of things due to the CBA, in Europe many teams run off season training as a team for example. Like 2 weeks off in May, then 2 weeks off in late june. The rest of the summer together as a team working out. Defenitly something allot of coaches in the NHL wouldn't mind, if they had the option... Instead of sending a 19 y/o home with a ton of paper on how to work out, they can supervise things 24/7 throughout the summer.

Anyway, back to the original subject. I think many belives that a NHL team would go 82-0 in the AHL. I defenitly don't think thats the case, more like 62-20. Its small marginals in sports, on a bad day, when the other team gets the bounces, allot can happend.

So I do think the European teams got a shot. Though I think it will take awhile before it becomes interesting. I defenitly think you make a really tremendous point on the time frame, 15-30 years. Thats what we are talking about.

Hockey as a sport needs to grow, we need to make thoose kind of investment. Thoose who will pay off 15-30 years down the road.

I think the Olympics is another one of thoose investments that can be made. Look 30 years down the road. When you least expect it you got Mircle on Ice all over again in the US, 80m infront of the TV's watching hockey. If not that, it might happend in Germany, the 3rd biggest market in the world after the US and China. You never know. Don't look at it as a matter of Vancouver 2010 and the NHL season in 2010, or 2014. Look at from a perspective of 2010-2040, are we best in or out?

I think this is a stupid idea. When teams should be in training camp, rounding into shape, they're going to fly across the world to play subpar competition? I have nothing against the European leagues, but this is a pointless waste of time. If the NHLPA still had a backbone, it would never have happened.

I think this is a stupid idea. When teams should be in training camp, rounding into shape, they're going to fly across the world to play subpar competition? I have nothing against the European leagues, but this is a pointless waste of time. If the NHLPA still had a backbone, it would never have happened.

Well actually it's only one team that will.

Which has happened several times over, including the upcoming visit to London.

The only difference this time is that instead of meeting some local team, or some combined national hotshots, they'll meet the winner and runner up from the euro champ league.

You might also notice that the NHLPA is made up from players in NHL, and about 1/3, or a bit under, of them are euros.

So calm down, a single game, 6 timezones away, isn't that much worse than several 3 timezone travels during a season.

So calm down, a single game, 6 timezones away, isn't that much worse than several 3 timezone travels during a season.

I know it's happened before, and it was as dumb an idea then as it is now. It's good that only one team is going to have to go through with this. It sounds like more than a single game from the article.

And the season has actual meaning, as far as that goes, while six timezones back and forth for however many exhibition games is a waste of time and energy.

And the season has actual meaning, as far as that goes, while six timezones back and forth for however many exhibition games is a waste of time and energy.

Nope, it's called 'promotion'.

And as with most commercial enterprises it's regarded as an important part of business.

NHL as a business doesn't only want to sell TV rights in europe, they also want to continue to promote their product as the best league in the world. So they can attract the best players and continue to stay the best.

And NHLPA supports their employer in this case, better league, more money in, more money available for players.

Nope, it's called 'promotion'.

And as with most commercial enterprises it's regarded as an important part of business.

Yeah, I know the motive for doing it, thanks. I don't think it's worth throwing a wrench into a team's preseason for this sort of promotion. Do what baseball does and have an All-Star tour after the regular season ends instead.

NHL as a business doesn't only want to sell TV rights in europe, they also want to continue to promote their product as the best league in the world.

Who, among people who know anything about hockey, doesn't realize the NHL is the best league in the world?

So they can attract the best players and continue to stay the best.

They can do that by paying the highest salaries. Much more effective than exhibitions.

Did you know FIFA awards a European champion as well and has a tournament just for European nations? I doubt soccer fans would argue that FIFA is not the international sanctioning body of soccer though.

This is not true, FIFA and UEFA are seperate bodies.



Question: What are the highest team payrolls in the RSL right now?
The payroll of Ak Bars Kazan is currently around the $30 million USD mark.

Nice posturing move by the NHL to allow this tourney to happen........of course they will never send a good team to compete until they force the Russians to sign the transfer though.